Victim's blood 'was on four kitchen knives'

FOUR knives found in the kitchen of a murder suspect's home had traces of her dead partner's blood on them, a jury has heard.

Sharon Hodges denies murdering Philip Gibbs in the caravan they shared at Sandy Bay caravan park in Kewstoke, near Weston-super-Mare.

Mr Gibbs, 58, died of a chest wound on November 19 last year, and also had arm and hand injuries.

Bristol Crown Court yesterday heard from forensic scientist Jane Rice, who examined the couple's two-bedroom home.

She said Mr Gibbs' blood was found on the couple's bedroom door, which had a number of "fresh" damage marks on it. Mrs Rice said these marks were likely to have been caused by a "sharp, bladed implement". His blood was also found in a second bedroom, in the hallway, the lounge and the kitchen.

A knife with an eight-inch blade was found on a kitchen work surface. The court heard it had Hodges' blood on the tip, cutting edge and traces on the handle, but also had Mr Gibbs' blood on the cutting edge and handle.

The jury was also shown another four coloured knives, three of which had Mr Gibbs' blood on them.

The jury was told Mr Gibbs' blood was found on sofa cushions in the lounge and although traces of Hodges' DNA were also found there, no evidence was deduced that they had come from her blood.

The court has heard Hodges, 41, told police she was attacked by Mr Gibbs before stabbing him in self-defence. But the Crown claims she cut her own left hand and right wrist in a bid to cover up her guilt.

The case continues.

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